Adjustable clamping joint



E. s. SEAVEY'.

ADJUSTABLE CLAMPING JONI. APPLICATION 1FILED JUNE 16, l920l 1,408,8M-Patented Mar. 7, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

,mmv un E. S. SEAVEY.

ADJUSTABLE CLANIPING JOiNT.

APPLICATION F|LED1UNE16,1920.

1,408,834. Patented Mar. 7, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

citizen of the United imli'rlzu STATES PATENT osi-ica ELMER S. SEAVEY,OF JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

ADJUSTABLE CLAMPING- J' OINT.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 16, 1920. Serial No. 389,349.,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatl, ELMER S. SEAVEY, a States, and residing in the cityof Johnstown, in the county of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable ClampingJoints; and I do hereby declare the following to be a "full, clear,andexact description of the in- 10 i vention, such as .will enableothers skilled in the artto whichit appertains'to make and usefthe same.

-My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inadjustable joint connections, and more especially tojclamp jointswhereby two supporting elements such as two bracket arms or rods may besustained in the desired position and adapted to be easily adjusted andheld in theiradjusted position by Ifrictional contact.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a very simple andeifective form of clamp connection between tWo elements, the planes ofwhich intersect, so that the eleported by the clamping joint, the devicebeing so formed that the slackening or tightemng up of this one screwwill act to release both 'elements to permit of their longitudinaladjustment or lwill tighten up both elements. j

Still another object of my invention is to provide a joint of thischaracter in which a resillent clamping member is pro-vided for PatentedMar. 7, 1922.

clamping one yof the two elements, the said element passing through theresilient clamping member which has split sides and a 'beveled contactface,- for engaging the ments may be readilypshifted longitudinallyrelative to each other and as readily clamped i so firmly in theiradjusted positions that they can not be accidentally shifted therefrom.n

Another object of my invention is to provide a clamp joi t having meansfor clamping twoI elements in their longitudinally adjusted position, soconstructed as to permit the elements -to be rotated relative to eachother s o as to secure any desired angular adjustment of the elementswithout', however, releasing any of the pressure of the clamp, andwithout in any way affecting the clamping action.

A further object of my inventionv is toA provide a construction in whichtwo'ele ments may be moved to any desired positionyvertically orhorizontally by a .slight push or pull, and so formed that the elementswill lremain in their adjusted position until moved again.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction' of 4thischaracter in which the elements may be moved forward or backwardtovshorten or lengthen them relative to the pivotal center of the'elementsby sli 'htlyreleasing the clamping pressure.

A further obj ect of the invention is to provide a clamping joint inwhich the gripping or clamping power of ascrew is used to simultaneouslyclamp bothelements supbeveled face of the otherclamping elements, whichmay be formed integral with the element or 1t may be a separate clampingmember for holding the opposite element but being beveled on one sidefor engaging the beveled face of the resilient clamping memk ber, andhold it in frictional contact therewith, by means'of a clamping screw.

Having thus given a general description of my invention, I will now, inorder to make the same more clear, refer to the accompanying two sheetsof drawings in which like characters of reference indicate' like partsFigure 1 is a side .elevation of an electric light bracket illustratingone form of appluitlony for which my invention may be use f Figure 2 isa side elevation of one of the clamping joints drawn on a larger scale.

than in Figure 1, and showing the bracket arms 1n 'cross-section.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional` elevation through the clamping jointtaken at right angles to the bracket arms. v

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional elevation through the clamping jointtaken at right langles to the section shown in Figure 3.

l Figure 5 1s a transverse sectional elevation i taken on the :lineV-v-V of Figure 2.

11 1s a vertical sectional elevation.

-tion through another modified form of joint I may use.

Figurel is a side elevation of the joint shown 1n Figures 13 and 14, andFigures 17 and 18 are still other modifications in which the clampingbolts serve the purpose of the resilient clamping member.

Referring now to the characters of reference on the drawings; andespecially to Figures 1 to 5 both inclusive, the numeral 1 indicates thebase, of a portable electric lamp bracket which isl adapted to be placedupon ,a table 2, or any other desired position where it may be easilyseated. The base 1" has a standard, 3, extending therefrom which ismounted upon the base and rigidly attached thereto and has one of myimproved clamping joints 4, adjustably attached thereto by means of aresilient clamping member 5, which is split as at 6 with cylindricalopenings therein as at 7, through which the standard passes. Thisresilient clamping member has an outer beveled face 8 and an angularflanged inwardly profjecting edge 9. Upon the beveled face of theresilient clampi member is mounted a pair of clamping was ers 10 and 11,the inner washer 10 having its lower face beveled inwardly as at 12, forengaging the beveled guter face of the resilient clamping mem- A-clamp-ing bolt4 13, having an enlarged portion 14, intermediate itsends, has an elongatedhole therein as at 15 for the passage of one ofthe rods to be clamped. The bolt 13, has a head 16, for engaging theangular inwardly projecting flanged edges 9, of the resilient clampingmember 5, and a reduced neck portion 17 between the head 16 and enlargedintermediate portion 14 of the bolt, which extends through an open ing18 in the resilient clamping member 5. The upper end of the bolt 13 isof reduced size in cross-section and is screw-threaded as at 21 toreceive a nut 22, which may be of any approved typel` as a hand-wheel,thumb-nut, or wing-nut as desired. The washers 10 and 11, and theenlarged portion 14 of the bolt 13 are keyed together at at 23, so thatthe washers, bolt andnut willrotate together and will not have atendency to unscrew the nut when the arms of the bracket are moved orrotated for adjustment.

24 indicates an adjustable bracket arm which is supported in position bythe joint 4, mounted on the standard 3. This bracket arm is passedthrough the elongated hole 15 in the bolt 13 and is clamped between thearc-shaped faces 25 of the washers 10 and 11, when thenut 22 is screwedtight upon the bolt and at the Sametime the beveled faces 8 and 12, ofthe resilfient clamping member 5' and the washer 10 contact with eachother forcing the arc-shaped jaws 26 of the cylindrical openings 7,'into gripping engagement with the standard 3f, or adjustable bracketarm, as the case may be reversed if desired, the standard4 ,3 beingclamped between the washers 10 and 1v1, and the adjustable bracket arm.24 can be held by the resilient clamping member.

At an intermediate position upon the bracket arm 24 is mounted anotheradjustable joint 4, for supporting Ian adjustable extension arm orclamping element 27 having attached thereto anelectric light socket,lamp and shade as indicated at 28.

Where the adjustable joint 4 isA mounted upon a bracket arm forsupporting an extenslon arm as indicated in Figure v1, I prefer to haveAthe extension arms-clamped between the washersof the joint, although itcan be held by meansof the resilient clamping member if desired.

Referring to Figures 6 to 10 both inclusive in which I have shownclamping joints of slightly modified forms, but in which the clampingaction of the joints is substantially the same as above described,especially the resilient clamping member, and in which the samereference numerals will be used as for Figures 1 to 5..

In Figure 6 theclamping bolt 13 is constructed without the 17, and thewashers 10 and 11 are not keyed together, same.

In Figure 7, instead of using clamping washers split as at 30, theremaining portions of the joint being similar with the exception, thatthe key 23 is omitted. l v

In Figure 8, the clamping washer 10 is made longer and formed with anannular recess 31, for the'reception of the end of a tubular collar orwasher 32. In this joint I ,have also omitted the use of a key, as it isnot an essential feature in any ofthe joints, for the reason that .whenthe bracket arm or clamping element is passed through the bolt andvclamped between the washers these parts will all have to rotatetogether whether the,

key is used or not.- VWhen the key is used however the gripping jaws yofthe washers and the elongated hole in thebolt are always held inalignment with each other, even if the bracket arm is removed from thejoint.

In yFigures 9 and 10 instead of using the two clamping washers 10 and 11I have used reduced neck portion T1 otherwise the construction is the 10vand. 11, I use a single washer 29, I

, article, having a bracket arm 44,

' with relation gles to 'the bolt silient clamping memb a single washeror tubular member 33, split as at 34, with transverse holes in the sidesnut 38. The upper part of the enlarged 1n termedate portion of theclamping bolt 1 3 is made conical as at 39, with a slight space as at40, between the and the upper end of the tubular washer 33, to allow theupper end of the tubular washer 33 to be forced inward when the nut isscrewed tight upon the end of the clamping bolt for gripping the sidesof the rod or element to be clamped. The clamping bolt also has a keywayformed therein as at 41, for receiving the end of a pin 42, extendinginto the keyway from the tubular washer 33.

Referring now to the, modifications illustrated in Figures 13 to 18 bothinclusive, in Figures 13, 14 and 16 of the drawings, 43 indicates aportion of a spot light or similar rigidly attached thereto, the outerend *of which has an openingtherethrough as at 45, for the passage of abolt 46, an annular recess 47, for receiving the head 48, of the bolt46, and an annular beveled face 49, surrounded by a flanged edge 50.

51 indicates the resilient clamping member having a central opening 52,and beveled outer faces 53 and 54, the beveled face 53 engaging thebeveled face 49 44, and the beveled face 54, contacting with the bevelededge 55 of the washer 56.

rlhe attaching member of the bracketcomprises a two-part clamp, one ofthe parts being indicated by the numeral 57 and the other by the numeral58, and these parts are provided each with a jaw portion indicated bythe numeral 59, and the parts are further provided with, openingsthrough which is passed a clamping bolt 60, having a nut 61 threadedthereon.

By reference to Figure 13 of the drawings it will be understood thatwhen the parts 57 and 58 are properly assembled with the jaws' 5 9thereof engaging opposite sides Aof the frame of a-wind shield or anyother part of the vehicle suitable for spot light, the nut 61 may betightened so as to firmly clamp the parts in place and the attachingmember will then be rigidly held to the portion of the vehicle to whichit is applied. The member 57 is provided with' a laterally extending bemade solid or tubular as desired, the axis of which is preferably atright an-` 60. The cylindrical post 62 is adapted ings 63, havinggripping jaws 64;, in the reer 5 1, which is split as at'65 to allowmovement for clamping acconical sides of the bolt4 'ber 5 is the same ason the arm.

the support of the.

cylindrical post 62, which may..

i cylindrical post.

'to extend into the operation, and through an elongated opening'66 inthe bolt 46, and when clamped in position is prevented from beingwithdrawn by the flanged edge 50,4 of the arm 44, whichextends intoannular the cylindrical post 62.`

The head 48 of the bolt 46, engages the grooves 67, fonmed on recess 47in the bracket arm 44 and the bodyv of the bolt extendsthroughopenings'45, 52 and 68 formed in the bracket arm 44, resilient clampingmember 51 and Washer 5 6 respectively. The end( of lthe bolt is screwthreaded as at 69 upon which is screwed a wing=nut 70, which isprevented from being easily unscrewed when in a -clamped position by thelocking ,washer 71.

In this type of joint when the wing-nut 70 is screwed tight upon 69, ofthe bolt 46', 53, 54 and 55 are forced into frictional contact with eachother,at thef-sametime the jaws 64, on the resilient clamping member 51,are forced into gripping engagement I with thecylindrical post 62,thereby holding clamping member 51 and the washer 56, asl

clearly shown in Figure 16, of the drawings.

ln Figure 15 tle resilient clamping memdrical openings 7, beveled face8, iianged edge 9, opening 18, and clamping jaws 26.

Upon the beveled face 8 ofthe resilient clamping member 5, is mountedthe bracket arm 44, having the opening 45v surrounded by a beveledsurface 49 for contacting with the beveled face 8 ofthe resilientclamping member 5.

the threaded endv the beveled surfaces 49,

the resilient that described for Figures 1 to 12, being split as at 6,with cylin- 73 indicates a clamping bolt, having a I head 74 engagingthe i'anged edge 9 of the resilient clamping member 5, which extendsrespectively, and

vclampingmember 5, and4 is held in position 76`is' screwed tight whenthe clamping-,nut upon the bolt by means of the clamping jaws26 grippingvthesides of the cylindrical ost 62, whichv also has a catch 78\work1ngn a longitudinal groove 79, for preventing the joint from working ofi'the end of the In Figure 17 l have illustrated the bolt 8 0 asserving'thepurpose ing member, belng split a cylindrical opening thereinas at 83, for receiving Ithe of a resilient clamplongitudinally asatl81, and havinga head 82 `with through openings 18 and 45 in theclamping atv 75 for receiving the cylindrical post 62. The inner sidesof the head 82, of the bolt 80 are beveled as at 84:, for engaging withthe beveled side 85 of a washer 86. The body of the bolt isscrewt'hreaded throughout its length and has mounted thereon the washer86, bracket arm 87, which is perforated as at 88, lock washer 89 andwing-nut 90. In this joint the side faces of the bracket arm 87 areflat, the frictional contact being produced by the sides 0f the washer86, which forces the arcshaped jaws 91 of'the opening 83 in grippingengagement vwith the cylindrical post 62, at the same time the flatsides of the bracket arm 87 are gripped firmly between the lock washer89 and the washer 86.

In Figure 18 I have shown another modiication in which the bolt .servesthe purpose of the resilient clamping member. In the figure 92 indicatesthe clamping bolt split longitudinally as at 93, with an elongatedopening thereinas at 94, beveled head 95 and with a screw-threadedclamping vment betweensaid pair of arms and reduced end 96.

97 indicates the movable bracket arm, having an opening 98 with forfrictionally engaging the head 95 of the bolt 92. The clamping washersare indi-l cated as at 100, each having arc-shaped jaws 101 .forengaging the cylindrical post 62, which is clamped between them and isheld in position by means of the wing-nut 102 and lock washer 103 aswill be' readily understood-by referring to the drawing.

It will be noted in all of the joints above described I have providedfor longitudinal and axial Vadjustment by means of a single bolt andnut. v

Although I have shown and described my invention in considerable detail,I do not wish to be limited to the exact and specific details show n'and described, but may use such substitutions, modifications orequivalents thereof as are embraced within the scope of my invention theclaims.'

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is l. In a flexible joint, comprising a pair of arms, aresilient clamping member and a coacting'clamping member mountedthereon, a swivel 'connection betwenthe-clamping'members, and a singlemeans for holding the pair of arms and clamping members in frictionalcontact vwith each other.

2. Ina flexible joint, comprising a pair of arms, a resilient clampingmember and a coacting `clamping member mounted thereon, said clampingmembers being engaged with each other for rotation on an axisintersingle means for in- -frictional engage-4 clampsectingsaid arms,and a creaslng or decreasing ing members.

3. In a exible joint, comprising aA pair beveled edge 99'v ing members,

'ent clamping member, an arm or -as pointed lout in moese/t a i clampingmemmg member, for supporting the other arm,

a swivel connection between the clamping members, and a single means forincreasing or decreasing frictional engagement between said pair of'armsand clamping members.

5l In a flexible joint, comprising a pair of supporting arms, a singleclamping member engaging one ofthe arms, a clamping member frictionallyengaging the single clamping member for supporting the other arm, aswivel connection between the clampand a single means for increasing ordecreasing frictional engagement between said pair of arms and. clampingmembers.

6. In a flexible joint, comprising a palr of supporting arms', a singleclamping member engaging and supporting oneof the arms, a clampingdevice mounted upon andl frictionally -or; decreasing frictionalengagement between sald. clampmg members and arms.

7.'In a flexible extending through the resilient clamping. member, anopening, in the side of the resilient clamping. member at right anglesto the axis of the arm passing through the resilient clamping member, abolt having its head retalned in the resilient clamping member and cxtending through an opening in the side of joint, comprising a resilitheresilient clamping member with an outwardly extending threaded end, aclamping member mounted upon the bolt for supporting another arm, and anut on th'e screw- `threaded endj of the bolt for increasingK ordecreasing friction'al engagement between said clamping members andarms;

8. In a iexible joint, comprising a, resilient split cla-mping member,an arm extending through the resilient split clamping member, an openingin the side of the resilient clamping member at right angles to the axisof the arm passing through the resilient split clamping member, anannular b eveled outer face on the resilient split clamping member, abolt having its head retained in the resilient split clamping member andextending through the opening in the side l the arm passing ber,

of the resilient split clamping member with an outwardly extendingthreaded end, a pair of clamping members upon the boltor clampinganother arm between them, and a nut on the screw-threaded end of thebolt for increasing or decreasing rictional engagement between saidclamping members and arms.

9. In a flexible joint, comprising a resilient split clamping member, anarm extending through the vresilient split clamping member, an openingin the'side of the resilient split clamping member at right angles tothe axis of the arm passing through the resilient split clamping member,the resilient split clamping member. being formed around its sideopening with an inner flanged edge and an outer annular beveled j sihentclampmg member, an arm extending,

surface, a bolt having its head retained by the flanged edge of theresilient split clamping member and extending through the opening in theside `oi the resilientsplit clamping member with an outwardly extendingthreaded end, clamping means mounted upon the bolt and adapted to clampanother arm, and means on the screw-threaded end of the bolt Jforsimultaneouslyv increasing or decreasing frictional engagement betweensaid clamping members and arms. i

10. ln a flexible joint, comprising a resilient split'clamping member,an arm extending through the resilient split clamping member` jaws onthe resilient split clamping member for engaging said arm, an opening inthe side of the resilient split clamping member at right angles to theaxis of through the resilient split clamping member and being formedaround its s ide opening with an inwardly extending flanged edge and anouter annular beveled surface, a bolt having its' head retained by theinwardly extending flanged edge .of the resilient split clamping memberand extending through the opening in the side of the resilient splitclamping memthe outer end bf said bolt being screwthreaded, a pair ofwashers mounted upon the bolt and adapted for receiving and holdinganother arm, and a nut on the screwthreaded end of the bolt forsimultaneously increasing or decreasing frictional engagement betweenAsaid clamping members and arms.

11. In a flexible joint,A comprising a resilient. split clampingmember,an arm extending through the resilient split clampin g member, jaws onthe resilient split clamping member for engaging said .arm, an openingin the side of the resilient split clamping member at*right angles tothe axis of the arm passing through the resilient split clamping member,lsaidresilient split clamping member being formed around its sideopening with an inwardly extending flanged edge and an outer annularbeveled surface,

`vient split clamping member,

a boltadapted to have its head retained by the inwardly extendingflanged edge of the resilient split clamping member and extendingthrough the opening in the side of the resilient split clamping member,the outer end of said bolt being screw-threaded, a pair of washersprovided with arc-shaped gripping jaws mounted upon the bolt and adaptedto recelve and hold another arm through theJ resilient split clampingmember, jaws on the resilient split clamping member for engaging saidarm, an opening in the side of the resilient lsplit clamping member atright arm passing through the resilient split clamping member, the saidresilient split clamping member being formed around its side openingwith an inwardly extending 'flanged edge and an outer annular beveledbolt, saidgripping jaws on -thewashers vbeing inga-lignment with aperforation in the bolt and adapted to receive and hold another armbetween the gripping jaws of the washers, said arm passing through theperforation'inthe bolt, one of the washers having a beveled side facefor engaging the-annular beveled surface'around the side opening on theresilient split. clamping member, and a nut on the screw-threaded end ofthe bolt for simultaneously increasing or decreasing rietionalengagement between said clamping members and arms.

13. In a flexible joint, comprising a resilan arm extending through wtheresilient split clamping member, jaws on the resilient split clampingmember for engaging said arm, an opening inthe side of the resilientsplit clamp'. g member at right angles to the axis of he arm passing`through the resilient split clamping member, the said-resilient splitclamping. member being formed around its side opening with an inwardlyextending edge and an. outer annular beveled surface, a bolt adapted tohave its head retained by the inwardly extending flanged edge of theangles to the axis of the resilient split clamping member, the said bolthaving a narrow neck portion extending through the opening in the side'ofthe resilient split clamping member, the outer end of the bo-lt beingscrew-threaded, a pair Yof washers provided with arc-shaped grippingjaws mounted upon the bolt, said gripping jaws on the washers being inalignment with a perforationA through the bolt and adapted to receiveand hold anothera-I'm between the gripping jawsof the washers, said armpassing through the perforation in the bolt, a beveled .side face on oneof the washers for enga-ging the annular beveled surface around the sideOpening on the resilient split clamping member, a spline between t-hewashers and the l on the screw-threaded end of the bolt for fiictionalengagement between the clamping members.

14. In a iiexible joint, comprising a resilient clamping member having acylindrical opening therein, an arm extending into the cylindricalopening, arc-shaped grippingJsurfaces-within the cylindrical openingadapted to engage the arm, a split projection on one side of theresilient clamping member,` an opening in the split side projection, atright angles to the cylindrical opening, the said split projection beingformed around the said opening with an inwardly extending anged edgeandan outer 'annular beveled surface, a bolt having its head retained bythe inwardly extending iianged edge of the split projection, said boltextending through the opening in the split vprojection andscrew-threaded on its outer end, a coacting clamping member having abeveled face mounted-upon the annularbeveled surface ofthe resilientclamping member and retained. in position by the bolt, and a nut on thescrew-threaded end of the bolt. for simultaneously increasing 4ordecreasing the frictional engagement between the' beveled members.

15. In a ilexble joint, a pair'of adjustable surfaces of the clampinggaging one of the arms, a bolt having its head secured in the resilientclamping member wlth an outwardly extending threaded end, a' coactingclamping member mounted upon the bolt for e gagingthe other arm, saidclamping mein ers being engaged with eachother for rotation on an axisintersect-` g ing both vof therewith, and a nut on the screw-threadedsaid arms andf'in alignment end .of the bolt for increasing ordecreasing frictional'engagement between said clamping members.

16. In a' exible joint, comprising a pair of adjustable arms, aresilient clamping member for engaging one of the arms, means bolt, anda nuty increasing or decreasing -b yshaped jaws -engaglng one of thearms, said ing members,

ers mounted onthe bolt, one of having a beveled surface rictionallyengagi ,aoeeaa bolt provided with a head adapted to be se-A cured in theresilient clamping member, said bolt having an outwardly extendingthreaded end, a coacting clamping member mounted upon the bolt forengaging the other arm, a swivel connection between the resilientclamping member and the coacting clamping member, said' clamping membersbeing engaged with each other for rotation on an axis intersecting .bothof said arms and in alignment therewith, and a nut on the s crewthreadedend of the bolt for increasing or decreasing frictional engagementbetween said clamping members. c

17. In a exible joint, comprising a pair of supporting arms, a singleclamping memer having a cylindrical opening with arcresilien clampingmember being split at its side an having an opening formed therein, theclamping member having a flanged in-` ner surface and an outer beveledface surrounding said opening, a bolt having a head retained by the.flanged inner surface, a. clamping member mounted onthe bolt and havinga beveled surface ictionally engaging the single clamping member forsupporting the other clampin member and forming a swivel connectionetween the clamping members, means for increasing or decreasingfrictional engagement between said clampand means for-forcing thearcshaped jaws of the single clamping member at right angles to the boltinto or out of engagement withthe arm.

18. `In a flexible of supporting arms, a single clamping member having acylindrical opening with arcshaped jaws engaging one of the arms, saidresilient clamping side and having an opening formed therein, aliangedinner' surface and an outer beveled face surrounding Said opening, abolt havingaiheadretained by the flan' ed inner surn face, and extendingoutward with an outer threaded end, clamping washsaid washers ingthebeveled face of the single clamping member for supporting the otherclamping arm andv forming a swivel connection between the clampingmembers, and a nut screwed upon the threaded end of the bolt forincreasing or decreasing frictional engagement between said clampingmembers and arms and for 'forcing the arc-shaped jaws of the singleclampingmember at right angles to the bolt -into or out of engagementwith the arm. i In witness whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature. l

ELMER S. SEAVEY.,

y therefrom member being split at its

